Dog owners: Please don't be the idiot who doesn't leash their dogs. And don't be the jerk who says "they're friendly" instead of leashing if someone politely asks you to leash.

I shouldn't have to apologize to you when you're the one breaking the law and generally being uncivil.

My wife and I had a beautiful morning hike until we ran into a shirtless, mask-less, and lawless young white man w 2 big German Shepherds and the dogs ran full speed at us barking. On a trial w little room, any of the 3 humans or the 2 dogs could have fallen off the cliff face.

I noticed the guy and one dog ~100 ft away and my wife went ahead to ask him to leash the dog. I stayed back and added w polite apology if he would kindly leash the dog when we see 2 dogs. Both dogs ran at us and one of them prepared to pounce on me until I yelled a strong NO.

The man did little to discourage the dogs and the only reason the dogs stopped was because of my loud NO. He took his time to recall the dogs and they wouldn't obey him either. Meanwhile I climb up the cliff face to make room for the man and his dogs when he is ready.

Due to the terrain, the man can see my wife and only hear me. I can see him partly because I'm a bit higher up. Though he hasn't leashed the dogs he says he understands and gives the usual dog-owner retort of "they' re friendly dogs" which does nothing to reduce my anxiety.

Few minutes on, he has "control" of the dogs but they're still unleashed. He passes my wife and is now in front of me. At that point, his demeanor and language change from OK to mean and abusive.

What changed? My wife is white; I'm not. And he hadn't seen me until then.

At this point, he starts belittling me and my fear of dogs, and tells me I need to get over it. I explain I love dogs and love to pet them but can't. My wife also mentions the trauma of earlier experiences. But the mans continues to berate my experience saying it is all my fault

My wife and I choose to move on because the terrain, the isolation from other people, and the man's attitude means a civil discourse is out of question. Plus he has two mean dogs which obviously don't obey him.

So, dog owners, please tell me why it is others' job to accommodate you and your dogs when you're the one at fault?

I'm sorry to say but I've seen more cases of owners not leashing than those who do. Why is it that you are otherwise caring and law abiding but not in this matter?

Please understand that the worst response is to ignore or laugh off the need to leash dogs because "they're friendly". That doesn't reduce anyone's anxiety.

The only right thing to do is to leash your dogs and apologize for not doing it right in the first place.

I hope all of us--dog owners and others--are able to enjoy walks and hikes with our families, just as much dog owners and dogs do. Clearly, this is not too much to ask.

Please pardon the rant-y nature of this thread but I'm tired of being second class to other ppl and their dogs